A bonus point victory this weekend for the Vikings will mean they have one hand on the trophy, and they could be crowned champions as early as next week at home, if other results go their way.

The opposition this week are the Isle of Wight rugby club, who currently sit 7th in the table, but for a time earlier in the season were 2nd and one of the form teams. A poor start to 2023 has cost them, losing all four of their matches, but the Vikings are under no illusions that this could be a potential banana skin and they must turn up and perform to their best.

The Vikings had a rest last week, whilst the home side were on the end of a hefty defeat against Havant Three’s. Earlier in the season the Sarnian side won the home contest 33-12, with the Isle of Wight side proving to be a difficult proposition at times.

Jersey Rugby Club have just overtaken the Vikings as the highest try scorers in the country, a feat the Guernsey side have held almost all season. This could well prove additional motivation for Ray Smart’s side to produce a strong performance again this week.

The good news ahead of this clash is that the Vikings top try-scorer Taylor Quate is again fit, and he comes straight back into the side. He lines up at outside centre, partnering with Tom Veillard, who last week made his debut for Guernsey Raiders.

Tom Creed will sit out this game, meaning Jacob Smith partners Keiran Williamson in the second-row. Whilst Jacob’s older brother Mitch Smith returns having missed the Ventnor game two weeks ago. He starts on the blindside flank, with Jack Webber and Barney Paul joining him.

Both Corey Wallis and James Mroch scored twice against against Ventnor, they start in the front-row this week with Tom Bray completing the trio.

Dale Rutledge returns for his last game for a number of weeks, as he prepares to travel home to New Zealand after this match. He missed the Ventnor outing due to being in the Raiders squad that day, but resumes at scrum-half on Saturday.

The Vikings suffered a number of injuries two week’s ago, including fly-half Gearoid Lee. He misses out this week with the head knock he sustained in that game, as he is still going through the return to play protocols. Young John Welbourne, who is highly rated by Vikings coach Ray Smart, will take his place in the no 10 jersey.

Thankfully captain Matt Lomas has shaken off the ankle injury he sustained against Ventnor to resume at full-back. Cam Le Prevost, who also played for the Raiders last week, is on the wing, along with Kieran Creber.

The replacements this week include the youngest of the Smith brothers, Michael, along with Phil Le Noury who returns following a holiday and Joe Le Roux, who covers the backs.

Kick-off is 2pm in the IOW, and you can follow the game through the Vikings Instagram & Facebook stories.